(Commonwealth_Europe) The UK government has confirmed three new cases of avian influenza in commercial poultry on farms located in Norfolk and East Yorkshire. Two farms in Norfolk, one near Dereham and another near Watton, tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu. All poultry on the affected premises will undergo humane culling as part of the control measures, and both farms are currently under strict quarantine protocols. A 3 km protection zone was established and a 10 km surveillance zone around the infected locations to mitigate the risk of further spread.
East Yorkshire has confirmed a similar outbreak, finding the H5N1 strain of avian flu in poultry on a farm near Beverley. Similar to Norfolk, this case prompted the implementation of a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone, as well as another culling operation. With these recent outbreaks, the UK has now recorded six confirmed cases of bird flu in commercial poultry and captive birds this season. East Yorkshire reported the first of these cases on November 5, signaling the start of this season’s bird flu outbreaks. Before these events, February of this year marked the last confirmed case of avian flu in poultry in the UK.
The Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) has urged all poultry keepers in areas affected by the disease to comply with the regulations within the control zones. These measures may include obtaining a license to move poultry, eggs, poultry by-products, and certain other materials or animals to prevent the disease from spreading. In addition, Defra is reminding farmers of the importance of maintaining high standards of biosecurity to protect the health of their flocks. The government emphasized that robust biosecurity measures are critical for the health and welfare of poultry, and for commercial poultry farms, these measures also help protect businesses from the potential economic impacts of bird flu and other diseases.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, has urged all farmers to be on high alert for signs of avian influenza, advising them to immediately report any suspected cases to authorities. She assured the public that immediate measures are in place to contain the outbreaks, which include culling any remaining birds on the affected farms. Despite the outbreaks, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has assessed the risk to human health as very low, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk to UK consumers. This reassurance is critical in maintaining public confidence during these outbreaks.
The winter months are traditionally a higher-risk period for avian influenza, as the cold weather can help the virus spread more easily among birds. The current situation highlights the importance of all birdkeepers being vigilant and following strict biosecurity protocols to mitigate the risk of outbreaks. The government has also taken steps to prepare for a worst-case scenario, securing five million doses of avian flu vaccines. The UK, as part of its broader preparations for a potential influenza pandemic, would use these vaccines if the H5N1 strain mutated and spread to humans.
In response to the virus’s increasing risk, the UK government recently raised the risk level for avian influenza in wild birds from “medium” to “high.” The UK government has classified the risk level for poultry farms as “medium” in areas where biosecurity measures are suboptimal or poorly maintained. However, consistent practice of good biosecurity maintains the classification of low risk. This ongoing monitoring and risk assessment underscore the importance of maintaining vigilant biosecurity practices to protect both poultry health and public safety.
These outbreaks serve as a stark reminder of avian influenza’s ongoing threat, especially during the winter months. The government’s swift response and the continued emphasis on stringent biosecurity measures are essential in containing the spread of the disease, protecting both livestock and the broader public health.
